Essex got a glympse of the current power of Egyptian squash at the weekend when brothers Omar and Ahmed Eldessouky came, saw and conquered all before them at the Connaught Junior Open.
The siblings, holidaying in England from their home in Alexandria in Egypt, signed up for Dave Webster’s popular event at Chingford and gave everyone an insight into the style and power in the current hotbed of world squash.
Omar Eldessouky
Omar (left) was particularly impressive as he carved his way through the field to win the Under-19 trophy downing a gallant but outgunned 15-tear old Hasnaat Farooqi 3-0 in the final. Omar, now 18, was one of Egypt’s highest ranked juniors several years ago and it was clear he still packs a punch, blessed with a sharp squash brain, deftness of touch and honed athleticism.
Younger brother Ahmed wrapped up the Under-17 division again carving an impressive path to the final where he snuffled out a brave display from Surrey’s Jordan Warne, who posed plenty of questions but ultimately failed to quell the strength and dexterity of the Afro-Asiatic player.
Dave Webster presents Joel Braddock with his U-13 trophy
The two-day event still had plenty of domestic interest with Lexden’s Joel Braddock (pictured right) leading the Essex challenge. The 11-year-old from Colchester improved as the tournament progressed finding his best form in the final of the boys’ Under-13’s where he overcame Ethan Chak 3-0.
Elise Lazarus, the current England No.1 U-15 player, stepped up to play in the Under-19 event and led 2-0 in the final against Hertfordshire’s Grace Gear. However, a combination of lost focus by Elise and tight, efficient squash from Grace turned the game on it’s head with the Berkhamsted player taking a deserved victory.
Harwich’s India Webb, who impressed for Essex at the recent Inter-County finals in Yorkshire, maintained that spike in form winning the Under-15 plate notching 3-0 victories over Chelmsford’s Eleanor White and Colchester’s Elli Barrott on the way.
RESULTS:
Under-11 Boys.
Winner: James Carman; Runner up Angus Howard.
Plate Winner Josh Stephens; Runner up Rory Howe.
Under-11 Girls
Winner: Meha Shah; Runner up Hannah Morley
Under-13 Boys
Winner: Joel Braddock; Runner up Ethan Chak
Plate Winner Zan Farooqi; Runner up Hugo Anderson
Under-13 Girls
Winner: Ella Hall; Runner up Islay Thorncroft
Boys Under-15
Winner: Josh Abbs; Runner-up Dominic Major
Plate Winner: Daniel Choldhury (w/o)
Girls Under-15
Winner: Margot Prow; Runner up Nyah Williams
Plate Winner: India Webb; Runner up Elli Barrott
Boys Under-17
Winner: Ahmed Eldessouky; Runner up Jordan Warne
Plate Winner: Zak Abbs; Ben Richardson
Boys Under-19
Winner: Omar Eldessouky; Runner up Hasnaat Farooqi
Plate Winner: James Lemming (w/o)
Girls Under-19
Winner: Grace Gear; Runner-up Elise Lazarus
